The Carbon Cycle
What process removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere?
(What is photosynthesis?)
What is one method scientists use to study past CO₂ levels?
(What is ice core analysis?)
What greenhouse gas is primarily responsible for global warming?
(What is carbon dioxide?)
What natural event can cause temporary cooling?
(What is a volcanic eruption?)
What climate evidence can be found in ice cores?
(What is trapped air bubbles containing past CO₂ levels?)
Name two major carbon reservoirs.
(What are the atmosphere and the ocean?)
How do volcanic eruptions temporarily affect global temperatures?
(What is by releasing ash that blocks sunlight, leading to cooling?)
How do greenhouse gases affect Earth’s temperature?
(What is trapping heat and warming the planet?)
How do ice ages fit into Earth’s climate history?
(What is they are part of long-term natural climate fluctuations?)
How do tree rings help scientists study climate history?
(What is by showing changes in temperature and moisture levels?)
How does combustion contribute to the carbon cycle?
(What is burning fossil fuels releases CO₂ into the atmosphere?)
What is a major contributor to the rise in global temperatures?
(What is increased fossil fuel combustion?)
What is the connection between the burning of fossil fuels and climate change?
(What is the release of CO₂, which enhances the greenhouse effect?)
How do marine organisms contribute to the carbon cycle?
(What is by absorbing CO₂ to form calcium carbonate shells?)
Why do fossils found in unexpected locations suggest climate change?
(What is they indicate past climate shifts, like tropical plants in polar regions?)
What is a carbon sink, and give one example?
(What is a system that absorbs more CO₂ than it releases; example: the ocean or forests?)
How does deforestation impact climate change?
(What is increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels by reducing carbon sinks?)
Name two other greenhouse gases besides CO₂.
(What are methane and nitrous oxide?)
How does rising ocean temperature impact coral reefs?
(What is coral bleaching, where corals expel algae and weaken?)
How do corals store information about past CO₂ levels?
(What is through their calcium carbonate skeletons?
How do decomposers affect the carbon cycle?
(What is breaking down dead organisms and releasing CO₂ into the atmosphere?)
Name two ways scientists study past climate trends.
(What are tree rings and ice cores?)
How does ocean acidification relate to greenhouse gases?
(What is excess CO₂ dissolving in the ocean, lowering pH and harming marine life?)
What is one long-term trend in global climate over the past century?
(What is overall global warming?)
Why is wind speed not useful for studying past climate trends?
(What is because it does not leave a long-term record like ice cores or tree rings?)